Machine and apparatus for applying stays, bindings, and the like to shoes and other articles



1937- -F. W. MERRICK ,07 MACHINE AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STAYS, BINDINGS, A

AND THE LIKE TO SHOES AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed July 1, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l 2,070,019 BINDINGS;

Feb. 9, 1937. F. w. MERRICK MACHINE AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STAYS AND THE LIKE TO SHOES AND OTHER ARTICLES Filed July 1, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 9, 1937. F. w. MERRICK 2,070,019

MACHINE AND AP P ARATUS FOR AEPLY'ING STAYS, BINDINGS,

AND THE LIKE TO SHOES AND-OTHER ARTICLES Filed'July l, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Iaweazivr:

Wfller M 54 Patented Feb. 9, 1937 NITED STATES FFICE MACHINE AND APPARATUS FOR APPLYING STAYS, BINDINGS, AND THE LIKE SHOES AND OTHER ARTICLES Application July 1, 1932, Serial No. 620,411

15 Claims.

My invention relates to machines and apparatus particularly adapted for applying bindings and stays to shoe uppers, the invention however being applicable for applying various tapes and ribbons to sheet material.

The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in the light of the accompanying drawings of several embodiments of the invention, the scope of which latter will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:--

Fig. i is a side elevation, with parts broken away and parts omitted, of a folding machine for folding and securing French binding to the edge of a shoe upper;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation, with parts omitted, of the folding machine according to Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation, on a reduced scale, of the machine according to Fig. 1 with parts omitted;

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate various steps performed by the folding machine in the operation of folding and securing the binding to the edge of the shoe upper;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation, with parts omitted, of a modified form of folding machine;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 88 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a front end elevation, with parts in section, of a machine for applying stays to the edge of a shoe upper, or for performing analogous work;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of the machine constructed according to Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a section through the spray nozzle on the line liil of Fig. 9; and

Fig. 12 is a section illustrating the valve of Figs. 9 and 10 in a different operative position.

Machines constructed according to the invention are particularly adapted for applying the binding and stays described in co-pending application of Edward B. Luitwieler, Serial No. 603,586, filed April 6, 1932, now Patent No. 1,923,988, issued Aug. 22, 1933, these stays and bindings being coated with a pliable, normally non-tacky glue which forms a quick drying adhesive when slightly moistened with water.

Machines for applying adhesive bindings and coatings commonly operate to place the adhesive side of the article against the sheet to which it is applied, and then press it against the latter so as firmly to cement it in place. With the binding above referred to, it has been found that such machines will be inoperative to secure the binding or stay if the same is moistened with an excess of water, because, with such excess, the adhesive qualities of the coating are destroyed, the further disadvantage occurring, with an excess of water, that the moistened adhesive penetrates a textile binding to such an extent as to size it and render it stiff and to mar the side of the binding which is exposed in the finished shoe.

According to the present invention, the coating of the binding or stay is slightly moistened with water prior to the pressing operation and While it is being fed through the machine. This slight moistening is preferably secured by use of an extremely fine spray which conveniently may be secured by a low pressure steam jet, the steam condensing to form an extremely attenuated mist of water which is more or less hot. It has been found that a minimum of water may be employed when the water is hot, and that the quick drying of the adhesive is faciliated by use of hot water. Under ordinary conditions this drying will occur in from 12 to 18 seconds with water .at room temperature, and from. 10 to seconds with hot water secured from the steam jet. It will be understood that this quick drying coacts with the pressing mechanism to secure satisfactory adhesion, andprevents gumming up of the needle where the binding or stay is stitched to the upper, as, for example, is commonly done when applying reinforcing stays to that edge of a shoe upper which forms the shoe opening.

Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show one form of the invention as applied to a machine for folding a so-called French binding about the edge of a shoe upper. The particular folding machine selected for illustrative purposes is a commercial machine known as the Rapid Folder Model G manufactured by the P. R. Glass Co., the machine in principle of operation being quite similar to that disclosed in P. R. Glass Patent 1,702,598, issued February 19, 1929 to the United Shoe Machinery Corporae tion.

In using the above mentioned folding machine, as when using most folding machines, the French binding B (Fig. 4) is first stitched to the shoe upper U by a line of stitching S which unites the two at their adjacent edges, the coated side of the binding being outermost. The binding at one end of the shoe upper is then bent to the position shown by Fig. 5, which brings the coated side of the binding uppermost. This end of the binding and shoe upper is then presented to the folding mechanism of the machine, which feeds the binding and upper through the machine, and while being fed acts to fold the binding around the edge of the upper into the position shown by Fig. 6, the pressing mechanism acting on the binding and upper to press the two together.

To the above ends, the folding machine selected for purposes of illustration comprises a work table upon which the shoe upper and binding are placed in operative relation to the presser foot 3 and gauge 5, the former of which engages the shoe upper adjacent the line of stitching, while the adjacent edge of the shoe up per is guided by the gauge 5. In this machine the cooperating feed member 1 and hammer 9 are.

given a wiping and hammering motion which, in conjunction with the action of the reciprocating finger 8 acting on the binding and while the binding and the attached shoe upper are being fed in the direction of the arrow A (Fig. 2) through the machine, acts to fold the binding from its position shown by Fig. 5 to its position shown by Fig. 6, and to hammer or press the binding and shoe upper together for firmly securing them in cemented relation.

In the embodiment of the invention shown by Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a spray nozzle II is provided which is in the form of a tube having a small opening at its lower end. As shown, this tube slidably extends through a perforation |3 in a block I5, being secured therein in adjusted position by a set screw Herein, the block I5 is pivoted at I9, for swinging motion, to an arm 2| clamped to the upper arm 23 of the frame of the folding machine. As shown, the tube H is operatively pivotally connected at 25 to a rodZ'I, which latter at its opposite end is pivotally connected at 29 to an arm 3| carried at the end'of a rock shaft 33, the latter being rotatably mounted in a bracket 35 carried at the rear end of the frame of the folding machine. As shown, the rock shaft 33, at its end opposite the arm 3|, carries an arm 31 which is provided with a perforation 39 through which extends a rod 4| connected to a foot treadle 43. Herein, this foot treadle exemplifies the controlling means for putting the folding machine in and out of operation, the foot treadle, for example, being connected to a rod 45 for operating a clutch (not shown) for clutching into and out of operation the driving pulley for a belt which passes over the belt pulley 47 of the folding machine.

As herein illustrated, the foot treadle 43 is normally held in raised position by a spring 49, while the nozzle is held in the position illustrated by Fig. 1 by a tension spring 5| connecting the rod 21 to the arm 2| or other stationary part of the machine. The rod 4|, as shown, is provided with a pair of lock nuts 53 which, when the foot treadle is depressed, engage with the arm 31 and rotate the rock shaft 33 to draw the rod 21 to the right, as viewed in Fig. 1, so as to move the nozzle to position its axial line in coincidencewith the line XX (Fig. 1), under which condition the nozzle is in the position relative to the machine and binding as shown in Figs. 2 and 5.

In the embodiment of the invention just described, the jet is normally continuously issuing from the nozzle I but the jet is directed against the Work only when the folding machine is in operation. This prevents excess moistening of the binding when the operator is positioning the work relative to the folding mechanism preliminary to putting the machine in operation, and

also prevents the accumulation of water on the machine if the same should stand idle for any length of time with the spray in operation.

As hereinbefore mentioned, preferably the nozzle II is supplied with steam. For this pur pose conveniently the machine has secured thereto a suitable steam generator. Herein this generator is in the form of a relatively small diameter tube 55 wrapped with a coil of heating resistance wire 51 so as to generate steam from water contained within the tube. As illustrated, this steam discharges from the tube through an outlet pipe 59 which is connected to the end of. the nozzle tube H by a length of flexible hose 6|.

.As shown, water is supplied to the steam generator tube 55 from a can 63 at suflicient elevation above the tube to permit a steam pressure of several pounds per square inch to be maintained therein. It has been found that best results will be secured when the water level of the tube is such as to half fill it with water, say, for example, to maintain the water at a water line W. L. shown in Fig. 1.

To the above end, in the present embodiment of the invention the steam generator tube 55 opens into a float chamber 65 having therein an annular float 61 for raising and lowering the valve 69, the latter having a stem extending through the central opening 13 of the float and carrying upper and lower collars l5 coacting with the upper and lower sides of the float. As shown, the float chamber 65 has connected thereto a vertical pipe 11 which supports and is in fluid communication with the can 63. As shown, the pipe opens into a passage 19 in the wall of the float chamber, which passage has a small bore extension 8i communicating with the interior of the float chamber. Herein, the passage BI is intersected by a bore 83 in which reciprocates the valve 69, the latter having a reduced diameter portion 85 which establishes communication between the can 63 and the interior of the float chamber when the parts are in the position shown by Fig. 1. Upon rise of water to within proximity of the water line W. L. the float 61 will rise and engage the upper collar 15 on the valve stem H and raise the valve 69 to move the reduced diameter portion 35 thereof out of communication with the passage 8|, which cuts off the flow of water to the float chamber. Thereafter, a slight lowering of the water line will cause the float and valve to drop slightly to afford a restricted flow of water from the can through the passage 8| to maintain the water level at the desired height.

Herein, for preventing excess pressure in the steam generator, the same is provided with a spring pressed safety valve 81 which, when it opens, conducts steam through a pipe 89 discharging into the can 63.

As shown, the float chamber 65, which carries the steam generator tube 55, is provided with brackets 9| secured to the side of the frame of the folding machine. It will be understood how.- ever that the steam generator, the nozzle tube and the rock shaft 33, or any of them, may, if desired, be otherwise supported, say, for example, on the table or other support which car ries the folding machine.

In the modification of the invention shown by Figs. 7 and 8, the nozzle tube 93 for the same folding machine as above indicated is stationary, that is to say, is always in position to direct a jet of steam or water spray against the binding. Herein, for this purpose, the steam generator 55 is provided with a stationary discharge pipe 95, which at its free end carries a T-fitting 51', the latter carrying the nozzle tube 33. For preventing formation of the jet when the machine is in operation, the nozzle tip is provided with a needle type valve 99 on the end of a rod IflI which extends through the tube and T-fitting and through a packing I03 in the latter to above the same. At its upper end this rod extends through a perforation I in one end of the arm I01 of a bell crank lever, the latter being pivoted at I69 to a bracket III carried by the upper arm 23 of the folding machine. Coacting with the bell crank lever is a torsion spring I I3 for normally holding the valve 99 in closed position. As shown, the other arm II5 of the bell crank lever is pivotally connected at I I! to the rod 2'! which is operated by the foot treadle to open the valve 99 when the folding machine is put in operation and to close the valve when the folding machine is put out of operation, in an analogous manner to that hereinbefore described in connection with the modification shown by Figs. 1 to 3. As the folding instrumentalities per se do not form part of the present invention, and as they are indicated in Figs. 1 to 3, the same have been omitted in the modification shown by Figs. '7 and 8.

The modification of the invention shown by Figs. 9 to 12 is adapted for applying a binding or stay, say a reinforcing stay placed about that edge of a shoe upper which forms the shoe opening, without folding such stay or binding. The machine selected for illustration in this embodiment of the invention is a known form of sewing machine which has a work table II9 carried at the upper end portion of a substantially cylindrical arm I2I. Coacting with the work table is a suitable feeding device I23 and presser foot I25, and, if desired, a needle (not shown) for sewing the stay when it is cemented.

As illustrated, the stay R is guided from a reel or spool (not shown) from below the arm I2! through a guide I21 to the work table, the coated side of the stay being the uppermost side of the latter as it passes over the table. The shoe upper W is placed above the stay on the work table and is automatically fed across the latter with the stay by operation of the feeding device and H presser foot, the latter acting to hammer or press the upper and binding together.

In this modification of the invention the spray nozzle is in the form of a flattened tube E29 having a small opening I3I for directing the jet against the coated side of the stay as the latter passes beneath the nozzle.

As shown, the spray nozzle is formed integrally with a steam pipe I33 which is carried by a valve casing I35, the latter, as shown, being secured to the under part of the arm I2I of the machine. Herein, the valve casing has connected thereto a steam supply pipe I31, while in the valve casing is a valve in the form of a turning plug I39 having an operating arm I4I adapted to turn it from its position shown by Fig. 12, in which the supply of steam to the nozzle is interrupted, to its position shown by Fig. 9, in which steam is supplied to the nozzle. Conveniently, in this type of machine, when the supply of steam to the nozzle is interrupted, the latter is connected to a drain, so that any steam which may condense therein will not be discharged through the nozzle when steam is again supplied to the nozzle. Further, conveniently when the supply of steam to the nozzle is interrupted, the flow of steam through the pipe I3? is continued by connecting said pipe with a waste pipe I453 which acts to keep the pipe I3! hot and prevent condensation therein. This condensation, if it occurred, would be discharged through the nozzle against the coated side of the stay when steam is supplied to the nozzle after it has been once discontinued.

To the above ends, the valve I39 is shown as provided with a transverse through passage 15 which connects the pipe I37 with the pipe I33 when the parts are in the position shown by Fig. 9. Communicating with the through passage I55, and opening at one side of the valve, is a radial passage I41 adapted to cause the pipe 537 to be connected with the pipe M3 when the valve is in the position shown by Fig. 12. The valve, as shown, is also provided with an exterior short groove 549 which, when the valve is in the position of parts shown by Fig. 12, is adapted to connect the pipe I33 with the drain passage I5I in the valve casing. Conveniently, the valve is provided with a torsion spring I53 which normally holds it in the position shown by Fig. 12, that is to say, in such position that the flow of steam through the nozzle is interrupted and the steam pipe I3? is connected to the pipe M3.

As illustrated, the operating arm 14! of the valve I39 is provided with a perforation I55 through which extends a rod I51 operatively connected to the foot treadle or other controlling means for putting the machine in and out of operation, as has heretofore been described in connection with the modification of the invention shown by Figs. 1 to 3. As illustrated, the rod I 5'1 carries a pair of lock nuts I59 which, when the foot treadle is operated to draw the rod I51 downward, engages with the arm MI to move it and the valve i3?! into the position shown by Fig. 12. This results in that, when the machine is put in operation, steam is supplied to the nozzle for spraying the coated side of the stay,

and, when the machine is put out of operation, the flow of steam to the nozzle is discontinued and the steam discharged through the pipe I43, which latter pipe may lead to any convenient source of disposal.

It will be understood that the present invention is not limited to machines of any particular construction, and is susceptible of such modification as is necessary to adapt it to particular machines. It will also be understood, that although a movable steam nozzle is shown in connection with the folding machine illustrated by Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and a stationary nozzle in connection with the modification shown by Figs. '7 and 8, and a stationary nozzle in connection with the modification shown by Figs. 9 to 12, with provision in the latter case for continuing the flow of steam when the supply thereof to the nozzle is interrupted, these may be used interchangeably in the several modifications with suitable changes to adapt them to the particular machine employed. It will be further understood that in general wide deviations may be made from all these embodiments without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. Apparatus for securing a binding, stay, or the like, coated with moisture sensitive adhesive to a shoe upper or the like having, in combination, mechanism for substantially continuously feeding a strip of binding and while being fed pressing it against the upper, moisture applying means for moistening with a mist of finely divided water the coating of the binding strip while being fed and prior to said mechanism operating upon it to press it against the upper, and control means for said moisture applying means operative to establish and interrupt the supply of moisture to said coating when the operation of said mechanism is established and interrupted respectively. a

2. Apparatus for securing a binding, stay, or the like, coated with moisture sensitive adhesive to a shoe upper or the like having, in combination, mechanism for substantially continuously feeding a strip of binding and while being fed pressing it against the upper, moisture applying means for moistening with a mist of finely divided water the coating of the binding strip while being fed and prior to said mechanism operating upon it to press it against the upper, a valve for controlling the moisture supply to said moisture applying means, and'control means for said valve operative to position it for establishing and interrupting the moisture supply to said moisture applying means when the operation of said mechanism is established and interrupted respectively. I e e 7 3. Apparatus for securing a bindingystay, or

the like, coated with moisture sensitive adhesive to a shoe upper or the like having, in combination, mechanism for feeding a strip of binding and pressing it against the upper, spray means for producing a small jet directed through the atmosphere toward the coating only of thebinding for moistening said coating with a mist of finely divided water While said strip is being fed and prior to said mechanism operating upon it to press it against the upper, and control means for said spray means automatically operative to establish and interrupt the spraying of said coating when theoperation of said mechanism is established and interrupted respectively.

4. Apparatus for securing a binding, stay, or

the like, coated with moisture sensitive adhesive 'to a shoe upper or the like having, in combination; mechanism-for feeding the binding and pressing it against the upper, spray producing means for spraying the coating of the binding with water while it is being fed and prior to said "mechanism operating upon it to press it against theupper, said spray producing means comprising a readily movable nozzle, control'means for said mechanism, and means operatively' connect-- ing said nozzle to said control means for positioning said nozzle to direct the spray against said coating when said mechanism is put in operation and for moving said nozzle out of such position when said mechanism is put out of oper ation.

5. Apparatus for securing a binding, stay,'or the like, coated with moisture sensitive adhesive to a shoe upper or the like having, in combination, mechanism for feeding a strip of binding and pressing it against the upper, sprayimeans for producing a small jet directed through the atmosphere toward the coating only of the binds ing for moistening said coating with a mist of finely divided water while said strip is being fed and prior to said mechanism operating upon it to press it against theupper, said spray means comprising a nozzle for directing the spray against said coating, a valve for said nozzle oper- I ative to establish and interrupt the spray, control means for said mechanism, and means operatively connecting said valve to said control means for positioningsaid valve to establishthe spray when'said mechanism is put in operation and for interrupting the spray when said mechanlSmlS put out of operation. 7

6. Apparatus for'operating upon French bind hesive' for folding it about the edge oran attached shoe upper or the like and securing it thereto in folded relation having, in combination, mechanism for feeding the attached upper and binding and for folding said binding about said edge and pressing it in place when folded, mols ture applying means for moistening with a mist of finely divided water only the coating of the binding while being fed and prior to completion of the folding thereof; and control means for said and interrupt the supply of moisture to said coating when the operation of said mechanism is established and interrupted respectively.

'7. Apparatus for operating upon French binding or the like coated with moisture sensitive adhesivefor folding it about the edge of an attached shoe upper or the like and securing it' 10 moisture applying means operative to establish" thereto in folded relation having, in combination,

mechanism for feeding the attached upper and binding and for folding said binding aboutsaid ing or the like coated with moisture sensitive adhesive for folding it about the edge of an attached shoe upper or the like and securing it thereto in folded relation having, in combination,

mechanism for substantially continuously feeding the attached upper and binding and for folding said binding about saidedge and pressing it in place when folded, spraymeans for producing 'a small jet directed through the atmosphere toward the coating only of the binding for moistening said coating with a mist of finely divided water while. said strip is being fed but prior to completion of the folding thereof, and control means for said spray means automatically operative to establish and interrupt the spraying of 7 said coating when the operation of said mechanism is established and interrupted respectively.

9. Apparatus for operating upon French bind ing or the like coated with moisture sensitive ada of the binding for moistening said coating with a mist of finely divided water while it is being fed but prior to completion of the folding thereof,

and control means for said mechanism and said steam jet means automatically operative to estabhesive for folding it about the edge'of an attached shoe upperor the like and securing it thereto in folded relation having, in combination,

mechanism for feeding the attached upper and binding and for'folding said binding about said edge and pressing it in place when folded, spray producing means for spraying the coating of the binding with water while it is being fed but prior to completion of the folding thereof, said spray producing means comprising a readily movable nozzle, control means for said mechanism, and means operatively connecting said nozzle to said control means for positioning said nozzle to direct the spray against said coating when said mechanism is put in operation and for moving said nozzle out of such position When said mechanism is put out of operation.

11. Apparatus for operating upon French binding or the like coated with moisture sensitive adhesive for folding it about the edge of an attached shoe upper or the like and securing it thereto in folded relation having, in combination, mechanism for feeding the attached upper and binding and for folding said binding about said edge and pressing it in place when folded, spray producing means for spraying the coating of the binding with water while it is being fed but prior to completion of the folding thereof, said spray producing means comprising a nozzle for producing a small jet directed through the atmosphere toward only said coating for moistening the latter with a mist of finely divided Water, a valve for said nozzle operative to establish and interrupt the spray, control means for said mechanism, and means operatively connecting said valve to said control means for positioning said valve to establish the spray when said mechanism is put in operation and for interrupting the spray when said mechanism is put out of operation.

12. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities, of means for directing a current of hot gaseous fluid against the portion of the work to be operated upon, means for controlling the operation of said instrumentalities and for controlling the delivery of hot gaseous fluid to the work in a substantially predetermined relationship to the starting of the folding operation.

13. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities, driving mechanism for operating them, and means for connecting and. disconnecting said driving mechanism with said instrumentalities, of apparatus for directing a current of hot gaseous fluid against the portion of the work to be operated upon, and mechanism for jointly controlling the operation of said apparatus and said means.

14. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities, driving mechanism for operating them, and means for connecting and disconnecting said driving mechanism with said instrumentalities, of apparatus for directing a current of hot gaseous fluid against the portion of the Work to be operated upon, a single manually operable control element, and connections arranged to be operated by said element for jointly controlling the operation of said apparatus and said means.

15. In a folding machine, the combination with folding instrumentalities, driving mechanism for operating them, and means for connecting and disconnecting said driving mechanism with said instrumentalities, of apparatus for directing a current of hot gaseous fluid against the portion of the work to be operated upon, and mechanism for operating said means and for controlling the delivery of hot gaseous fluid to the work in a substantially predetermined relationship to the starting of the folding operation.

FRANK W. MERRICK. 

